Prologue

Love, it’s not real. I’ve seen what they called “being in love” in school (which is not a good place to look for an example). Couples always say that they love each other but they always end up breaking up. It never lasts.

I used to believe in love when I was younger. Then it all went downhill when my parents started having problems with their merge. At first they would fight about things that mattered, like money. Then it became fights about things like losing the keys or who ate the last piece of whatever.

Ultimately all these arguments lead to their separation a few months ago. This is what really led my word to crumble right under my very feet. Everything started to change. My dad moved out the house. He seemed to have moved on fast, he already has a new house and I even have the suspicion that he has found someone new. Now my mom on the other hand is taking this really hard. She has started talking to her family more and she has stopped looking after herself. And I don’t have the heart to tell her about dad (maybe) having found someone new.

My mother finally came to the conclusion of going back to her homeland, Japan, to move back and to be with her family. That’s why at this moment we are at the Los Angeles International airport getting ready to board the plane.

“Vera!” I turn and see a small group of girls and guys running up to me, crap my friends! A tall girl with long beach blond hair and light brown eyes runs up to me before the rest and bends down to give me a tight hug. She whispers into my ear, “you big jerk how could you not tell me, you’re best friend, that you were leaving today?!”

The reason I didn’t want them to know is that it would have been so much easier leaving without telling anyone, but I can’t say that to Abbie it would smash her poor heart. So thinking fast I murmur back, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t find out about it till last night and I was so busy that I didn’t have the time to call you.” I know I’m not the greatest liar in the world, but that’s the best that I could come up with.

I know she doesn’t believe me by the look she is giving me but she lets it slide (thank god). Abbie lets go of me and then I’m attacked by my other friends. All of them offered me firm hugs and showered me with going away gifts (which I stuffed in my bag). Most of the girls are crying saying, “I thought we were better friends then this!” and the guys are just looking away not wanting to show any emotions.

With every goodbye hug my heart starts to tighten and it feels like there is a lump forming in my throat. “Thanks you guys for seeing me off” I take a trembling breath and continue, “I love you all!” this really made all the girls that were already crying, cry harder.

“Vera! Come on we have to go or we are going to miss the plane!” I hear my mom yell from behind me in Japanese.

“Okay!” I bend down to get my carryon bag and sling it on my shoulder. Blinking back tears I look at all the faces that showed up, breathing out I say, “Well I have to go now …” I give them one last hug and start to head to the direction of my new future.

I don’t look back afraid of losing control of my emotions. I have to let them go, its better this way.

Sometimes it’s better to be alone. No one can hurt you that way. Still hearing my friends calling me from behind me, I start to walk faster felling the warm liquid run down my face and my bottom lip quiver a bit.

Wiping the tears with the back of my hand I step into the plane, I look around for my mom and spot a short woman in the back. I walk through the tight aisles till I reach the seats where she has already shat down. I stand on my tippy-toes to reach the glove compartment and start to stuff my carryon bag into it and making sure that I have my IPod with me.

Squeezing past, I plop to the seat next to her. I sniffle a bit as I’m getting my iPod ready and prop my keens on the back of the seat in front of me. The woman who gave me life finally faces me. I slowly turn to stare back at her. She parts her lips, “I’ll give you a choice.” My eyes widen as I listen to her like she has the cure for cancer.